Ok so hear we are January 4th of 2011. It has been forever since I last posted and a lot has happened. I kind of got caught up in myself and the world for a little while there. I got complacent. I was lazy about reading my Bible, praying and just making time for God in general. When I read a dear friend and sister in Christ's blog today it encouraged me to update mine.
So here is the brief update I quit my job and started doing home daycare so I could be home with my kids. I started homeschool for my son although it's just preschool it's a good tester to get prepared for Kindergarten next year. So that's the brief update.
The Prophesy updated at church lit a fire under me and God really spoke to me through the service this last weekend. I desperately want to grow closer to God.
So my goals are to read through the Bible in a year, do a daily devotion and pray daily.
Please hold me accountable. I want desperately to be closer to the Lord and to live in His will for my life. I want to preach His word like He calls us to do in 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
So let's remember...
A... Amen (pray)
B... Bible (read it daily)
C... Church (fellowship with other believers is vital)
D... Discipleship (Student, learner,pupil. We are all called to be disciples)
E... Evangelism (preaching the word)
All of these are for all followers of Christ and we should strive to let the Lord grow us further in these areas daily. Here is a little elaboration on each along with scriptures...
A... Amen (pray)
6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7) Some get intimidated by prayer and worry that they are doing it wrong. Prayer is just our conversations with God. The veil was torn when Jesus came and allows us direct contact with the creator of this world. We should take advantage of it. Check out the book of Psalms and you will see that God wants us to come to him with everything. The good and the bad. Even the ugly feelings we have.
B... Bible (read daily)
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105)
God's word is a love letter to us. Some say I wish life came with an instruction manual... well.... it does. The Bible is the living breathing word of God.
Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. (Psalm 119:11)
God's word speaks to us and helps us know God and His promises better. It increases our faith and eases our anxiety.
C... Church (fellowship with other believers)
For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20)
There is power in fellowship. We are called to encourage, exhort, and hold accountable one another. We are to be an active member of the body of the church; ministering to Christ's chosen.
D... Discipleship
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (Matthew 28:19)
We are called to be disciples and make disciples of all nations.
In the Bible dictionary a disciple is listed as a student, learner & pupil. It implies more that casually knowing someone or just excepting Christ as your savior and then stopping there. It implies that we are continually learning all there is to know about the Lord. Diligently studying Him and diligently teaching all about Him to others.
E... Evangelism (preach the word)
2Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. (2 Timothy 4:2)
God has called us all to preach the Word. Not just gifted speakers. All of us in some form. Whether it's speaking to someone in a coffee shop, living the Christian life in front of the unbelievers at work, or comforting someone who is hurting.
We can all do this. Let's start right now.
What are your goals?